Paper short abstract:

Folk dances and stage folk dances in Latvia are danced by every generation but attitudes towards age differ in both dance genres. The aim of the presentation is to analyse how dancers look at age, as well as to highlight the importance of dancing at age.

Paper long abstract:

Folk dances in Latvia are danced by every generation. With folk dances I refer to folklore genre and also stage folk dance, which is a genre established in Soviet times. Attitudes towards age differ in folk dances and stage folk dances. In folk dances, older people seem to be considered equal, often being the ones that entertain the younger generation. Older dancers are also highly valued in folklore expeditions, they are considered to be the ones that demonstrate dances most accurately. The cult of youth was propagated during the Soviet era, so the older generation were not given the opportunity to show themselves. Currently, the older generation is actively dancing. Stage folk dancers are divided into several groups – children, young people, the middle generation and seniors. It is not specified at what age the transition to the next group takes place. If the transition from children to youth groups takes place without any frustration, then the transition from young people to the middle generation and further to the senior group is often emotionally unpleasant. In spite of this the dancers appreciate the fact that they can dance, maintain physical shape, socialize, and nurture cultural heritage. They are not excluded but feel like a valuable part of dancers’ society.

The aim of the presentation is to analyse how folk dancers look at age, as well as to highlight the importance of dancing at age.